Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 43 of a new online serial novel, If Anyone Is Listening, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week. Click here for previous chapters.
Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications.
This time, Ruchi’s mother answers the phone when I call. “Hi,” she says pleasantly. “How are you?”
“Fine, baruch Hashem. And you?”
“Baruch Hashem, fine.” She sighs lightly, and I wonder how to begin. The notes I wrote myself to help me get through this conversation are in front of me, but suddenly, not a single sentence of what I wrote seems appropriate to start with. I don’t want her to feel attacked, or like I’m accusing her.
But what if such a sentiment is simmering inside me?
“How is Ruchi? How is she feeling?” I ask slowly.
“Baruch Hashem. A day like this, a day like that.”
“It’s not easy.”
“True.”
“And how is your back?”
“The situation isn’t making it easier,” she answers. “Things are really…complicated. The couple is here again, and I need to go up and down the stairs a lot.” Something in her answer is less routine than I expected. Not that I wasn’t able to hear during our phone calls until now that things were hard for her. But now she sounds rather determined not to hide anything.
“What about the aide?”
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